You're so gorgeous and you don't even know it.

When I moved to university in a crazy little town, I thought it might be the end of my music-filled glory days.  Thankfully though, Grahamstown proved me wrong with it's little collection of local bands, one of which just launched their debut album and thus deserves a post.

Life of Riley played at one of the first gigs I went to here and they've had me singing along to their whimsical love tunes ever since. They mix emotional and carefree songs and show love the way it makes sense in the mind of a crazy, confused student. Terri-Lee Adendorff gives the folk-pop duo a touch of Florence Welch and is responsible for their feisty stage presence.

The debut album, The Golden Age of Us, has all their clap-along favourites one expects from their gigs and can now finally listen to whenever you want. But the real gem is the track Your Brand New Summer Dress, which is far more acoustic than the rest and is the only one sung by Nick Mulgrew.
It's very reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens, both in sound and thoughtful lyrics, and is plainly just a great song. 

Try... Green Eyes, which I've dubbed 'the clap song' and anything else you can get. (Unfortunately, being local, they don't have a fantastic online presence).

Listen to the Life of Riley... because Grahamstown does in fact have a music scene.

You and your brand new summer dress

you wear it well, you wear it best. 

it fits you close and tight on your hips

and fits your curves better than I ever did.

Florence and one funky machine

Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine is one feisty female that puts that extra bit of energy into every song. She swings from one high to the next, surrounded by a good dose of foot stomping and hand clapping to add the extra kick to her sometimes dark, but pensive lyrics.

cc thanks to Kon Males

Florence has got a voice that should fill concert halls, but it's worth squeezing her into your headphones anyway. I'd describe her like a dark red lipstick- daring and sexy, with just a touch of morbid.


Try... the popular Kiss With A Fist, if you've never heard it. I quite like the flow of Dog Days Are Over myself, also from her debut Lungs (a consistent and strong effort, I'd say.) 

Listen to... Florence + the Machine if you can handle a strong voice and a little violence in your love songs.   'Falling's not the problem, when I'm falling I'm at peace.
It's only when I hit the ground it causes all the grief'-Falling